Everything about Hanuman statue, 3rd tallest in US
What's the story
Texas, United States, has become home to the tallest statue of Lord Hanuman outside India.
The 90-foot-tall bronze sculpture, named the "Statue of Union," was unveiled during a grand Pran Pratishtha event in Houston on August 18.
This monumental figure now stands as the third tallest statue in the US, surpassed only by the Statue of Liberty and Florida's Pegasus and Dragon figure.
Cultural significance
Statue of Union: A new cultural milestone in America
The unveiling of the 'Statue of Union' marks "a new milestone in the cultural and spiritual landscape of America," according to event organizers.
The statue is situated at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas.
The project's website describes it as a spiritual epicenter where "hearts find solace, minds find peace, and souls find a path to transcendence."
Symbolic representation
Why is it named the Statue of Union?
The name 'Statue of Union' was chosen to represent Lord Hanuman as an embodiment of strength, devotion, and selfless service.
The statue symbolizes Hanuman's role in uniting Sri Rama with Sita, hence its title.
The statue was conceptualized by His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, a Padma Bhushan awardee and respected Vedic scholar.
Event organizers said Swamiji envisioned this project as a spiritual epicenter for North America.
Twitter Post
Check out the statue here
The third tallest statue in the US is now located in Sugar Land, TX, standing at 90 feet tall.
— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) August 21, 2024
Located at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, the ‘Statue of Union’ depicting Hindu god Hanuman was recently inaugurated, believed to represent “strength and hope.”pic.twitter.com/Nuzu2JUavN
Artistic interpretation
Devdutt Pattanaik's interpretation of the statue's gesture
Regarding the statue's raised arms, Indian mythologist and author Devdutt Pattanaik suggested they were inspired by the Thai Buddha's "do not fight" gesture.
The unveiling of the statue comes at a time when religious demographics in the US are changing rapidly.
Polls show that the number of Americans who say they are Christians is falling, while the number of Americans who say they are "nothing in particular" or follow a religion that is only practiced by a minority is rising.